People are fixated with âconsumerismâ and âmaterialismâ which are pulling Filipinos away from the Church, according to the head of the Philippine bishopsâ conference.

âWe have to continue evangelization because there are factors that are pulling people away from the Church, such as consumerism [and] materialism,â Bishop Nereo OdchimarÂ of Tandag said in an interview with Church-run Radio Veritas.

The prelate also hit out at âinfluences from the Westâ like same-sex marriages and pornography in the media and on the Internet.

âSo we must be constantly vigilant and uphold Gospel values,â Bishop Odchimar said.

He was reacting to observations that the Philippine Church seems to be losing ground in the fight against proposed birth control measures that will use artificial contraceptives.

âWe donât have money to invest in our fight. [The government] has the money and ... it seems that [the Philippine president] is behind it,â Bishop Odchimar said.

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